Mission

OUR PURPOSE

To promote dialogue, awareness, and understanding about prejudice and to celebrate diversity in Belmont.

OUR HISTORY

Founded in May 1992 after rioting scarred Los Angeles, Belmont Against Racism (BAR) is a community-action, all-volunteer organization addressing issues of racism and prejudice by following the slogan, think globally, act locally. We focus on fostering awareness and educating the community about exclusionary practices, creating a welcoming community for all, and increasing diversity throughout the town. While BAR, in its first decade, mostly focused on addressing racism, we have broadened our mission to include all problems of prejudice that impact our town and local community.

BGSAC

A subcommittee of BAR, the Gay Straight Alliance Committee (BGSAC) addresses issues faced by gays and lesbians in the Belmont community.

Martin Luther King, Jr. annual celebration

Every year, the Belmont community gathers together to honor and
celebrate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A featured speaker provides
new perspectives on issues of race and social justice, and challenges us to once again make the dream an active part of our lives.

The annual MLK celebration is also the sole fund-raiser for the METCO Support fund. This fund is administered by the Belmont
School department. It is used to provide safe and convenient transportation so that our high school METCO students
can fully participate in all after-school activities (sports, fine arts, clubs and academics). These funds are also used to
make sure that our elementary school and Middle School METCO students can take part in special after-school events.

METCO Support Fund

Belmont Against Racism (BAR) is pleased to announce the availability of an
online form to request funding from
the METCO Support Fund. This form is a Microsoft Word document.

The purpose of BAR's METCO Support Fund is to promote the participation of Belmont METCO students in regular school activities and to foster connections between Boston students and families and their counterparts in Belmont.

Grants for programs or events that serve this purpose can be applied for by Belmont teachers, administrators, students and their families. BAR would appreciate receiving the funding request at least 30 days prior to the event.

Note: BAR funds may also be available for programs that fit BAR's broader purpose of promoting dialogue, awareness and understanding about prejudice and to celebrate diversity in Belmont. Please use this same application form.

Thank you to all of our generous contributors to the METCO Support Fund.

If you wish to donate please make checks out to BAR and write "METCO Support Fund" on the memo line.